Name a pesticide stewardship practice that reduces environmental risk.

• A. Calibration, proper mixing, adherence to label directions, avoiding adverse weather, and proper disposal.
• B. Apply as directed without mixing or disposal considerations.
• C. Calibrate equipment only when signs of drift occur.
• D. Ignore label directions if the weather seems favorable.

Answer: (C)

Calibrating application equipment to deliver the labeled rate is a fundamental way to reduce environmental risk. When the spray system is accurately calibrated, you apply the exact amount the label specifies, which limits runoff, drift, and exposure to non-target organisms. Monitoring and adjusting for drift signs is a practical reminder that accurate delivery matters, and addressing those signs helps keep the spray where it’s supposed to go. In contrast, ignoring essential steps like mixing correctly, disposing of pesticides properly, and considering weather can drastically increase environmental risk, and simply applying as directed without those considerations can lead to over- or under-application. While routine calibration is the strongest preventive practice, the core idea here is that controlling how much pesticide is actually applied—and ensuring it matches the label—directly minimizes environmental impact.